Is there a better or worst time to do the breast self-exam each month?
It’s useful to do the breast self-exam at the same time each month, because the breasts tend to change (as a result of changing hormones) throughout a woman’s monthly cycle. If you have a regular menstrual cycle, then the best time to do the breast self-exam is about seven to ten days after your period begins each month. At this time, your breasts are the least lumpy and the least tender to the touch. If you don’t have regular monthly periods, then try to do your breast self-exam on the same day each month–for example, on the first of every month, the day you pay your monthly bills, your bridge game, or something else you won’t forget. Can you give me some general guidelines on what to “feel” for in my breasts? Most women’s breasts have lots of bumpy or nodular areas in them. Only young girls’ breasts are perfectly smooth. The goal in checking your breasts is to find dominant lumps–something that stands out and that is not symmetrical with the other breast. Symmetry is very important
